Minneapolis Moline Z

[fdnross]

I recently purchased a 1951 MM Z. The sereal number is 01812339 it has the 3 5/8 x 5 206B 4 engine in it. Im having a hard time finding parts for the Z, I understand that the 445 and jet stars had a 206 as well, does anyone know if the engine kits for the 455 and jet stars will fit in a Z 206 with no prolbems.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[MM diesel]

You have a ZA. The best parts source would be a ZB. I think the later 206 engines in the 445, Jet star, 2 star, 4 star, & Jet star 3 had some differences. Thats not to say that some parts won't interchange. Its just that 99% of the parts for a ZB should be interchangeable. I might have some ZA parts, (crankshaft)

Michael Moeller
[email protected]

 

[Anonymous-0]

first, the Z is an L-hread engine, with valves in the block. and the 445 and later use a valve in head arrangement.

Even though the bores are the same, the piston rings do not always interchange. so know the width of your compression and oil rings. Most Zs came with three 1/8" wide compression and 3/16" oil rings.

If you need to bore the cylinders, best have the pistons on hand and check with machine shop before hand, as most (around here, anyway) cannot bore to the bottom of a flat hole like a Z cylinder.

The rod bearings interchange. A main set for the later 206 will work, discard the front set, the center bearing set will be about 1/8" wider but has always worked for me, due to the extra assembly clearance on that journal. The rear bearing set fits fine.

almost none of the gaskets interchange between the L-head and overhead valve 206s. The only gaskets I can think of that are same are the rear bearing carrier and the oil pump.

Valve stem diameter is the same, And small block chevy exhaust valves can be made to work, as both intake and exhaust valves. The head may have to be cut down some to get good contact on the valve seat. (This seems to be more of a problem in the overhead valve engines. either they came with a slightly smaller seat or they aren't requiring as much grinding to get a good sealing surface as the L-head engines do.)

OEM type oil filters are a problem. you can scroll down and look at some of the work-arounds people have come up with.

As far as I know, no one makes an overhaul kit for any of these engines. You have to order each individual part.

Wendell Everett 740-922-3335 (Ohio) and Welters 417-498-6496 (Missouri) have been very helpful with parts in the past.

 

[R.D.F.]

Give us a call @ 920 295 3278, valves we stock as well as some other parts, some of our suppliers have most of what you may need. We need to know what you're looking for, Dale and Doug.

 

[fdnross]

I had looked at the wrong number plate. The plate on the engine is 01812339 and the plate on the gear case is 00609811. this crosses over to a ZAU, do you know if ZAU means anything about the tractor or does to make parts easier to find?

thanks.

 

[onjack]

just a couple of additions, if you need cylinder boring done try the aircraft machine shops since nearly all aircraft cylinders are blind ( head is not removable) and the ZA was available as the ZAS standard front axle, the ZAU row crop and I believe ZAE wide adjustable front axle. Moline used these letters to designate front axle style for many years. we owned a M602D(diesel) E wide adjustable for many years.

 

[Charlie Biler x]

fdnross,
While the side valve Z engines and the overhead valve Moline engines have identical bore and stroke; very little will interchange. I strongly suggest you get a parts catalog for your tractor. It gives a pictorial breakdown of the machine, and makes repair and parts location a lot easier. Asking for a pump seal is fine but when you ask for a #RE522A pump seal; we all know what you need. I use original parts number systems to keep things straight myself.

The side valve 206 engine in the Z tractors is still a great engine. Gasket sets, crank seals, crankshaft bearings, valves, seats, guides, springs, and a host of parts are available. With renewed interest in these engines; new parts are coming on line. Within a month or two, new pistons and other items will be available.

Right now several companys are once again making oil filters for this engine. The only problem is high filter cost. I personally use a simple spin on adapter to use a Chevy pickup truck oil filter in place of the old canister. Aside from the lower cost, the spin on filters are a lot less messy.

Happy motoring.
Charlie